New Delhi, Jan 29: Jammu and Kashmir MP Rashid Engineer on Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court seeking interim bail in a terror-funding case, arguing that he must be allowed to attend the upcoming budget session of Parliament, scheduled from January 31 to April 4.
As an alternative, Rashid requested custody parole for the duration of the session. His plea is part of an ongoing legal battle for regular bail in a case pursued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Legal Battle Over Bail
In his petition, Rashid urged the high court to either direct the lower court to expedite a decision on his bail plea or intervene directly. On January 23, the court sought the NIA’s response and scheduled a hearing for January 30, when his interim bail request will also be heard.
Rashid’s legal team has argued that the delay in deciding his bail plea has left his parliamentary constituency unrepresented, denying his electorate a voice in the crucial budget session. His counsel also pointed out that while the trial court refused to pronounce a verdict on his bail application, the MP/MLA court lacked jurisdiction over NIA cases, leaving him without legal recourse.
The NIA, meanwhile, informed the court that it had written to the registrar general of the Delhi High Court in November 2023, seeking clarity on which court should hear the case, but the agency’s counsel admitted he was unaware of any progress on that request.
Rashid’s Arrest and the NIA Case
Rashid, who won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019, following his arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a 2017 terror-funding case.
The NIA and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have alleged that Rashid was involved in funding separatist activities in Kashmir, conspiring to wage war against the government, and stoking unrest in the Valley. The broader case also includes Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin.
With Parliament set to resume, Rashid’s legal team is pushing for an urgent resolution, arguing that denying him bail or parole would effectively silence the people of Baramulla in national policymaking.
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